A pair of gilt-bronze-mounted painted and parcel -gilt mahogany bergères Empire, early 19th century, possibly Spanish

each with an outward scrolled padded rectangular back mounted with berried laurel leaves above a bowed loose cushion seat and straight arms mounted with anthemions and a patera, the front-rail mounted with a diaper motif enclosing the mask of Mercury, the supports with painted and parcel-gilt winged Egyptian terms simulating bronze and gilt-bronze and mounted with flaming torches, the sides with berried laurel and a rosette, the side-rails with a star motif on giltwood paw feet,  on sabre rear legs, both bearing the stamp JACOB

In overall good conserved condition. Rare model. Joints sound and sturdy. Patches and restorations to the veneer. Good quality casting to the mounts. The gilding is worn in places. There are some cracks in the gilt-bronze diaper motif which can be left or resoldered,. The mahogany has faded and would benefit from a repolish according to taste. There are old minor marks, chips and scratches to the veneer and old restorations with patches especially to the rear seat-rail and leg of one chair and some of the old restorations show a red colour and would benefit from some further attention.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
Jean-Pierre Samoyault, Mobilier Français Consulat et Empire, Paris, 2009, p. 46, fig. 55, and p. 54, fig. 75.

Although these elegent bergères in terms of shape with their scrolling back and applied gilt-bronze decoration are very much in the manner of Jacob there is a strong possibility that they are of Spanish origin as an inspection of the underside reveals that the frame is in a light softwood not oak which is usually the case in Jacob and French seat furniture in general at this date. Furthermore, the arms supported by painted and parcel-gilt winged Egyptian female busts simulating bronze terminating in paw feet and the bronzes are not obviously French though are of French inspiration.

The form is of these bergères is almost certainly based on  a design by Charles Percier, see Samoyault op. cit. p. 46, fig. 55, for a design by Percier,before 1800, for a scrolled bergère with winged female bust supports terminating in paw feet (album Percier, MMA New York, fol. 18). The same author, op. cit., p. 56, no. 75, illustrates an armchair conceived in a very similar vein to the offered pair, namely in its outward scrolled back  bands of berried laurel and paterae in gilt-bronze on the stiles and the diaper motif flanked by stylised anthemions on the seat-rail. The illustrated armchair is in the palais royal du Pardo part of the Nacional Patrimonio, Madrid and is attributed to Xavier Hindermeyer and Pierre-Auguste Forestier based upon the designs of Percier and Fontaine and is one of a pair delivered for the Casita del Labrador at Aranjuez between 1802 and 1806.